Overview
Chamaecyparis thyoides is a columnar upright, bushy conifers in the genus Chamaecyparis, part of the Cupressaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Chamaecyparis thyoides grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include architectural, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and hedging and screens.
About
It is one of two species of Chamaecyparis found in North America. C. thyoides resides on the East Coast and C. lawsoniana can be found on the West Coast. The trees are associated with a wide variety of other wetland species because of their wide north-south range. The remaining populations are now found mostly in remote locations that would be difficult to harvest, so its popularity as a source of lumber has decreased. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). It works well for architectural, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and hedging and screens. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil. Stake when young.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Chamaecyparis thyoides
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Chamaecyparis
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Chamaecyparis thyoides size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conifers, Shrubs
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Hedging and screens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Chamaecyparis thyoides
- Propagation
- Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Juniper scale, Shoot-boring moths
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus, Phytophthora root diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Chamaecyparis thyoides?
Chamaecyparis thyoides prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Chamaecyparis thyoides need?
Chamaecyparis thyoides is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Chamaecyparis thyoides hardy in the UK?
Chamaecyparis thyoides has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Chamaecyparis thyoides?
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings.
More in the Chamaecyparis genus
- Chamaecypariscypress
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Barry's Silver'Lawson's cypress 'Barry's Silver'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Erecta Argenteovariegata' (v)Lawson's cypress 'Erecta Argenteovariegata'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Glauca'Lawson's cypress 'Glauca'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Rijnhof'Lawson's cypress 'Rijnhof'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Silver Queen' (v)Lawson's cypress 'Silver Queen'
- Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gimborn Beauty'hinoki cypress 'Gimborn Beauty'
- Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Lycopodioides Aurea'hinoki cypress 'Lycopodioides Aurea'